Local

LCPD conducting checkpoint Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Lake City Police Department will be conducting checkpoints Saturday to try and reduce impaired drivers and related crashes.From 7 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday, the LCPD will be targeting drivers who chose to drive after consuming drugs or alcohol with checkpoints at six possible locations.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he was excited to see the future of the Five Points Elementary campus after the city recently purchased it for $200,000. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he was excited to see the future of the Five Points Elementary campus after the city recently purchased it for $200,000. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City Council wants closer look at future Five Points campus tenets

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Lake City Council has an empty school full of possibilities on its hands. The question remains how to best utilize it.Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal gave a presentation at the council’s Monday meeting regarding the use of buildings at Five Points Elementary School.

Wellborn woman killed in early Sunday crash

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, May 17, 2026
A Wellborn woman was killed early Sunday morning when a car struck a tree in eastern Columbia County.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a grey Nissan sedan was traveling northbound on County Road 245 at 4 a.m. Sunday when the driver failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway.
The Columbia County School District’s quilt in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial was a collaborative effort between students and teachers at all 12 schools in the district, the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild and the Which Old Stitch store. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Columbia County School District’s quilt in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial was a collaborative effort between students and teachers at all 12 schools in the district, the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild and the Which Old Stitch store. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia School District unveils quilt for 250th celebration

TONY BRITT
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Columbia School District displayed its latest contribution to the local celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary Tuesday night.

Madison’s Hardee named new judge

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The vacant Third Judicial Circuit judicial position has been filled by a Madison attorney.Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Cary “Bo” Hardee III to the circuit court judicial seat Tuesday.
The Lake City Reporter’s Tony Britt accepts the paper’s license plate during the Kids Tag Art presentation. The plate was drawn by Pinemount Elementary’s Jai Bass. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Reporter’s Tony Britt accepts the paper’s license plate during the Kids Tag Art presentation. The plate was drawn by Pinemount Elementary’s Jai Bass. (COURTESY)

Kids Tag Art raises $34K for art programs

TONY BRITT
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Columbia County School District’s art programs received more than $30,000 this week from the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office through the Kids Tag Art program.
The Lake City Council will consider options for the former Five Points Elementary School campus, which the city has purchased. (FILE)

The Lake City Council will consider options for the former Five Points Elementary School campus, which the city has purchased. (FILE)

City eyes plans for Five Point campus

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, May 16, 2026
After its purchase of a local elementary school, the Lake City Council will hear some ideas of how it should be utilized. The Council is set to listen to a presentation by City Manager Don Rosenthal at its Monday night meeting regarding plans for Five Points Elementary.

Presley EXCEL hosting Florida Emancipation Day program

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 15, 2026
Presley EXCEL and Scholars Program as well as the Presley Learning Center and the Miracle Tabernacle Girls of Distinction will be celebrating Florida’s Emancipation Day this week.The group will hold its third Emancipation Day program on Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. on 107.9-FM Angel Radio Station.
A rendering of the proposed new Columbia High, which would be a three-story facility, built on the back of the current school campus. The project is estimated to cost nearly $190 million. (COURTESY)

A rendering of the proposed new Columbia High, which would be a three-story facility, built on the back of the current school campus. The project is estimated to cost nearly $190 million. (COURTESY)

Eyeing a new $190M CHS

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Columbia School District officials are optimistic that a new Columbia High School will be constructed in the near future with state funds, potentially bringing the county’s first three-story school building.